A meeting at the Ministry of Water Resources discussed the implementation of a nationwide program for excavation and re-excavation of rivers, canals, and reservoirs. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed and attended by Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad, and other senior officials. It was announced that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the canal excavation program before Eid at Sahapara Canal in Bororampur, Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur, while ministers, advisers, and MPs will inaugurate similar projects in 63 districts.

During the meeting, Mirza Abbas highlighted the historical significance of canal excavation and urged all concerned to work together to accelerate the program. Minister Annie Chowdhury emphasized that the lack of canal excavation over the years has worsened irrigation shortages and waterlogging, increasing public suffering. He assured that the government, as an elected body, will take all necessary measures for public welfare. State Minister Azad noted growing public enthusiasm and said the government aims to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years under a 180-day implementation plan.

Senior secretaries from the Land, Disaster Management, and Local Government ministries, along with the Director General of the Water Development Board, were also present at the meeting.

Freedom fighter Iqbal Chowdhury has testified as the fourth witness in a case involving abduction and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell, known as Ayenaghar, during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. He gave his statement before the three-member panel of International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, describing severe torture after being abducted for his writings critical of India and the Awami League.

In his testimony, Iqbal said he was subjected to electric shocks and beaten with sticks on his legs and ankles. He recounted being interrogated about his war role and his Facebook posts criticizing the government and Indian influence. He described being detained for a year, held in a high-walled room with blood-like stains and writings, and hearing sounds suggesting proximity to the Dhaka Cantonment area. He later recognized Lt. Col. Hasinur Rahman during detention.

Iqbal stated he was released on April 25, 2019, and later learned the facility was under DGFI control. He held then–Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several military officials responsible for his torture and demanded justice.

Former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, along with 14 other individuals and five institutions, will receive the Independence Award 2026, Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor. Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Nasimul Gani announced the decision on Thursday, March 5, 2026, following a Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat. Khaleda Zia has been selected posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education.

The list of honorees includes figures from diverse fields such as science, literature, culture, sports, rural development, social service, public administration, research, and environmental conservation. Institutions like Faujdarhat Cadet College, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, PKSF, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, and SOS Children’s Village International in Bangladesh are among the awardees.

The Independence Award, introduced in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor individuals and organizations for their distinguished contributions to national life and the memory of the 1971 Liberation War.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain or thundershowers in five divisions, including Dhaka, by the end of the week. The change in weather is linked to an active low-pressure area over West Bengal and adjoining regions, along with a normal monsoon low over the southern Bay of Bengal. The forecast issued on Thursday, March 5, indicates that from Sunday evening, March 8, scattered rainfall may occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions, with the trend likely to continue for 48 hours.

According to the department, skies across the country may remain partly cloudy over the next 24 hours, with a slight rise in both day and night temperatures. Friday’s weather is expected to remain mostly dry nationwide. On Saturday, daytime temperatures may drop by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures could rise slightly.

The agency added that light rain or thundershowers could occur again on Sunday and Monday in the same divisions, while other regions will likely remain dry. Overall, a tendency for rain or thundershowers is expected within the next five days due to the combined influence of the western low and moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam has accused the government of politicizing major state institutions such as Bangladesh Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He made the allegation on Thursday at an iftar event in Dhaka, organized in honor of foreign diplomats to mark the NCP’s founding anniversary.

Addressing the diplomats, Nahid Islam said that the government is subtly turning major institutions into partisan bodies, which he described as a warning sign for a democratic state. He urged the international community to pay attention to ensuring that state institutions remain free from political influence and serve the public interest.

Nahid also demanded the immediate formation of a “Constitution Reform Council” to implement the commitments of the July Charter, claiming that the reform process outlined in the charter has been hindered. Diplomats from various countries attended the event.

Bangladesh’s Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that a government doctor’s medical license has been suspended for six months after he was found treating private patients during official duty hours. The minister said the action was taken to maintain discipline in the health sector and ensure accountability among government physicians. The announcement came on Thursday, March 5, 2026, during a press conference at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The accused, Dr. Rajesh Majumdar, a junior consultant (pediatrics) at a district hospital, was caught on camera on February 26 visiting a private chamber while on government duty. Following the incident, the ministry issued a show-cause notice, suspended his license, and initiated departmental proceedings. The minister stated that similar actions would be taken against any government doctor found engaging in private practice during official hours.

He added that surveillance has been strengthened to detect such irregularities, including possible intelligence operations. The minister emphasized that the goal is to ensure patient care in public hospitals and improve doctors’ sense of responsibility.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque stated that the July mass uprising was built upon the sacrifices and ideals of the Shapla Chattar movement. He emphasized that rebuilding the future of Bangladesh depends on fully realizing the goals and spirit of that uprising. Haque accused those attempting to undermine the 2024 uprising of rejecting the essence of the Shapla spirit itself.

He made these remarks on Thursday at an iftar gathering organized by the Shapla Smriti Sangsad at the Hotel Central Inn auditorium of Rahmania International Complex in Dhaka. The event honored the families of those killed and injured in the 2013 Shapla Chattar and 2021 anti-Modi movements. In his presidential address, Haque also expressed regret for the nation’s negligence toward the families of the martyrs, apologizing on behalf of all for their prolonged suffering.

The event was attended by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s central Naib-e-Amir Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and other religious and social leaders.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has alleged that the ruling party is attempting to declare the July Charter and referendum invalid by using the courts. Speaking at an iftar gathering organized by the Ulama Division of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South on Thursday, he warned that if the government follows the path of previous regimes, the responsibility will fall on the BNP. He also claimed that evidence of election result manipulation is gradually emerging and that both domestic and foreign forces were involved in engineering the outcome.

Porwar called on Islamic scholars to take the lead in building true believers and patriotic citizens, describing them as the nation's best sons who have historically defended independence and sovereignty. Other speakers, including Nurul Islam Bulbul MP and Dr. Khalilur Rahman Madani, emphasized unity among religious scholars and their role in guiding the nation beyond partisan lines.

The event was attended by senior Jamaat leaders, scholars, and representatives from various Islamic organizations, who echoed calls for unity and moral leadership in national life.

Bangladesh Bank has fixed the maximum rent rates for bank branches and other business centers across different regions of the country. The directive, issued on Thursday, states that banks will no longer need prior approval from the central bank if the rent remains within the prescribed limits. However, approval will be required if the rent exceeds those limits. Banks can now decide on leasing or renting business premises with their board of directors’ approval, including new contracts or renewals.

According to the circular, if the property owner is a bank director or a related party, prior approval from Bangladesh Bank will still be necessary. Approval will also be required for relocating business centers before the contract expires, or for renting premises for head offices and controlled divisions. The circular instructs banks to follow previous guidelines on advance payments, establishment costs, and rent escalation.

The maximum rent per square foot has been set at 104 taka in Dhaka City Corporation areas, with varying rates for other cities and rural areas. Banks must determine rent rationally within these limits, considering location, floor level, and building quality.

United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapoor paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir in Dhaka on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon and was attended by the US Ambassador to Bangladesh and a high-level American delegation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed existing bilateral relations, regional cooperation, trade and investment expansion, and development partnership. Adviser Humayun Kabir highlighted the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the United States and expressed hope for strengthening and diversifying the relationship. He emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation and joint initiatives in various development sectors.

Assistant Secretary Kapoor reaffirmed the United States’ interest in advancing Bangladesh-US relations and noted the potential for expanding collaboration in multiple areas. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with both parties expressing optimism about deepening future cooperation.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has cancelled 210 flights between February 28 and March 5, 2026, following temporary airspace closures by several Middle Eastern countries. The cancellations were triggered by escalating tensions after attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. On Thursday alone, 34 flights were cancelled, affecting multiple airlines including Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, US-Bangla, Gulf Air, and Flydubai.

According to airport sources, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns. This led to widespread disruption of flights from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations. The cancellations occurred progressively, with 23 flights cancelled on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, 39 on March 3, and 28 on March 4.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air travel to regional conflicts, with airlines and passengers facing significant operational and logistical challenges.

The Prime Minister has decided to avoid holding lavish iftar gatherings this year, considering the country’s overall situation. According to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, she will attend only two iftar events at the state guesthouse Jamuna—one on March 6 for diplomats and another on March 7 for orphans, Islamic scholars, and clerics.

Previously scheduled iftar events at Jamuna for politicians on March 8 and for journalists on March 10 have been cancelled due to the same considerations. The decision marks a departure from the usual state tradition of hosting multiple large-scale iftar receptions for various professional and social groups.

This year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is observing iftar privately with his family at home, and no grand state-sponsored iftar events are being held.

Photographer Khaled Hossain Parag from Pabna has been appointed as the personal photographer to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a circular issued by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. According to the circular, Parag will serve on a contractual basis, receiving salary and benefits under grade-9 of the national pay scale. His appointment will remain effective until the end of the Prime Minister’s tenure or until further notice.

As the Prime Minister’s photographer, Parag will be responsible for capturing, archiving, and documenting official activities, political programs, state visits, meetings, and other significant events. He will also oversee the visual documentation and archival preservation of the Prime Minister’s engagements.

Parag has been active in photojournalism and cultural-political activities for nearly three decades. He began his career at the daily Dinkal and currently serves as the convener of the Pabna district branch of JASAS, a BNP-affiliated cultural organization. He has founded several local cultural and youth organizations and is known for his long-standing voluntary documentation of BNP and Zia family events.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher MP, has alleged that former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has become a key witness to what he described as election engineering during the February 12 polls. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar on Thursday, he said Rizwana Hasan’s recent remarks confirmed the manipulation claims.

Dr. Taher questioned whether the then interim government or the current administration had colluded to prevent Jamaat-e-Islami from emerging as a major political force. He alleged that officials such as DCs, SPs, TNOs, OCs, and presiding officers were appointed to ensure a predetermined outcome. He urged the government to interrogate Rizwana Hasan to clarify the full situation and inform the nation.

He further mentioned that Jamaat had previously accused several advisers of involvement in election irregularities, naming Rizwana Hasan and Khalilur Rahman. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, were present at the briefing.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj have emphasized the need for quick resolution of teachers’ administrative problems across Bangladesh. Speaking on Thursday at a meeting with officials of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), the minister directed that matters such as salaries, pensions, leave, transfers, training, and higher education be settled within set timeframes to avoid unnecessary delays for teachers visiting offices.

He urged officials to ensure better coordination, open discussion, and mutual cooperation to create a more effective work environment. The minister encouraged staff to express opinions freely and logically, aiming to reduce internal distance within the administration. To ensure transparency and eliminate lobbying in transfers, he instructed the introduction of an artificial intelligence-based software system.

Dr. Milan also stressed the importance of automation and digital methods to make service delivery faster and more modern. He called for expanding online services and developing systems that allow service seekers to easily identify the relevant desk or officer for their issues.